President Jacob Zuma has offered his congratulations to Natalie du Toit on Thursday, the first South African to win a gold medal at the London Paralympic Games.

“We warmly congratulate Natalie for once again uniting our country in the pride and glory of this Paralympic achievement and we are confident of more medals to come from the

Paralympic Team South Africa,” Zuma said in a statement.

Du Toit won the women’s 100 metres butterfly S9 final on Thursday evening.

Having breezed through the heats in the morning, she went on to win the final for the third Games in succession, in one minute, 9.30 seconds (1:09.30).

Du Toit, competing in her last Paralympics, will be back in the pool on Friday in the 100m backstroke event.

Aiming to go out with a bang, she will also compete in the 100m breaststroke later in the week and attempt to defend her medals in the 50m, 100m and 400m freestyle races and the 200m individual medley.

By Sapa/Jacaranda Sport